Batik art is a resist method of dyeing and decorating fabric. A resist is anything that cannot allow dyes through. I use hot wax as my resist on cotton fabric. It's about patience which in the end is rewarded as the wax is removed and the masterpiece is revealed. This page shows this journey, my journey in batik. Enjoy

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It was great for me to participate in the annual fundraiser exhibition for Rotary Club of Muyenga. I was able to meet many artists including Uganda's 'masters' who have pioneered the batik art movement since the 60's. These included Mr Wasswa Katongole and David Kibuuka who has been doing batik art since early 80's and is currently doing a good job of uniting artists from a variety of media.

These 2 new batiks are reproductions of similar subjects that I did 2 years ago in 2010. The first ones were very popular and I sold them very fast. But these new ones look bolder and better. I will show these ones in the upcoming group exhibition on Nov 24/25 at Hotel Africana

This new work will be among the new batik paintings on show at the Nov 24/25 at Hotel Africana Rotary International Art Exhibition. It was an inspiration I got after visiting Nakasero fruit market in Kampala. The area is always busy especially in the morning with farmers selling off their fruits and foodstuff to traders. There are two houses which accomodate a large number of the stalls. The rest of the activities are carried out in open air outside these 2 houses. This work shows you what you see immediately after entering one of the 2 fruit market houses, they are all similar. What captivated me most was the perspective made by row of pillars that support the building. The actual color of these in the market is fire-engine red. The other day I went back to the market after completing this work and I was so amazed by the scene, it felt like I was literally walking inside my painting.

About Me

I discovered batik in secondary school after seeing a man drying colorful African women drawings done on fabric near our school. I discovered that before hanging his wet pictures on the line, he could heat something on a charcoal stove (wax). A lot of smoke came off it as he dipped a brush in it. His hand kept on moving at an incredible speed to and from the heated liquid to the white fabric on the table. I decided to visit him about learning how to paint. He chased me away saying if he teaches me, I will copy his style. After several failed attempts to let me learn, I decided to put into practice the few things I had seen him doing. That is how I started batik since then in 1997.
I work from my house located 15kms outside Kampala, Uganda's capital city. I have done many exhibitions in Uganda and around the world. I also teach batik to children above 10years and adults.I'm inspired by nature, I love butterflies, birds and trees. I did a lot of drawing during childhood in the dust using sticks. I could spend many hours in the dust alone as my siblings played games. I thank God for the people who have supported and continue to support me in this long batik journey.